Marine oil boom

ABSTRACT

Elongated sections of flexible buoyant tubes are connected together in end-to-end relation for extending offshore along a coastline surrounding an oil tanker or an oil well location. The wall of the tube sections is formed in accordion-pleated fashion for readily conforming to variations in the surface of the supporting water. Anchor means maintains the assembled tubes in approximate location while other means prevents longitudinal expansion of the tubes beyond the yield point of their material.

United States Patent Inventor Douglas H. Rowland P.O. Box 30465, Dallas,Tex. 75230 Sept. 3, 1969 Apr. 27, 1971 Continuation-impart ofapplication Ser. No. 829,006, May 29, 1969.

Appl. No. Filed Patented MARINE OIL BOOM 7 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 61/ 1 Int. (1 E0217 15/04 FieldofSearch 61/1 (F),5;2l0/(lnquired); 114/.5 (F), 43.5; 9/83 (E) [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 3,146,598 9/1964 Smith 61/1F 3,221,889 12/1965 Muller61/1F 3,321,923 5/1967 Smithetal. 6l/1F 3,369,664 2/1968 Dahan 61/1FPrimary Examiner-Peter M. Caun Attorney-Robert K. Rhea ABSTRACT:Elongated sections of flexible buoyant tubes are connected together inend-to-end relation for extending ofi'shore along a coastlinesurrounding an oil tanker or an oil well location. 'lhe wall of the tubesections is formed in accordion-pleated fashion for readily conformingto variations in the surface of the supporting water. Anchor meansmaintains the assembled tubes in approximate location while other meansprevents longitudinal expansion of the tubes beyond the yield point oftheir material.

PATENTED M27197! DOUGLAS. H. ROWLAN D INVENTOR.

PATENTEDAPW 197:

SHEET 3 [IF DOUGLAS H. ROWLAND //vv/v TOR MARINE OIL BOOM CROSSREFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The present invention is acontinuation-in-part of an application filed by me in the U.S. PatentOffice May 29, 1969, under Ser. No. 829,006 for Marine Oil Seepage Dam.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The presentinvention relates to offshore drilling and oil production and moreparticularly to a floating dam surrounding an oil well location orextending offshore along the coastline for retention of oil andpreventing pollution of a coastline.

In the drilling and servicing of offshore oil wells, oil is sometimeslost or spilled on the surface of the water in the area of the drillingplatform. It sometimes happens that subterranean oil-bearing earthformations force oil to the surface of the earth at an offshore welllocation as a result of a blowout" or an improper seal between a casingequipped borehole and the surrounding strata. This results in a loss ofoil which rises to the surface of the water due to the differences inspecific gravity with a resulting pollution of the adjacent beaches orland areas when the oil is moved by wind or tide action to the shore.

This invention retards the oil spreading and shore pollution byproviding a floating tube formed of interconnected sections to form adam surrounding the well location or extending in offshore positionalong the coastline so that the oil may be picked up as by using asuction pump.

The principal distinction between this application and theabove-referred-to copending application resides in the manner in whichthe tube sections are formed, such as the shape of the accordionpleating, the manner of interconnecting the ends of the respectivejoints and the central stabilizing member which simplifies construction,handling and operation of the boom.

2. Description of the Prior Art One type of a previously known floatingoil boom comprised a canvas curtain which was suspended in the water bycork floats attached to one edge portion of the canvas. The principalobjection to this type of oil boom is the inability to handle the canvaswhen installing or retreiving it as well as the comparatively short lifeof the canvas and the difficulty in cleaning it after contact with crudeoil.

Another type oil boom was formed of aluminum floats which were bulkyduring storage, easily damaged and difficult to clean.

The most pertinent prior art is Pat. Nos. 3,146,598 and 3,321,923. Thesepatents disclose buoyant floats connected in spaced relation to aflexible sheet for surrounding a moored boat and subsequently storingthe boom pleated in side-byside sectional relation.

The floats or booms of these patents are intended primarily forrelatively quiet waters surrounding a dock area without provision beingmade for conforming to rise and fall of water in offshore wave action.

The wall of the tubular section forming my boom is fon'ned in continuousaccordion-pleated fashion for greater flexibility of the sections toreadily conform to undulating wave action.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A plurality of elongated flexible buoyant tubesections, preferably formed of oil resistant rubberlike material havingan accordion-pleated wall, are connected together in end-toend relationto form an endless tube surrounding an offshore well location orextending along a coastline in offshore relation. The assembled tubesare maintained in an approximate desired location by anchor means. Thediametric size of the tube sections is such that they will retain asubstantial quantity of oil in dam fashion. Means is provided forlimiting the longitudinal expanding action of each tubular section andmaintaining the depending peripheral portion of the sections submerged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view,partially in section, illustrating the boom in operative position aroundan offshore drilling rig;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view, to a larger scale, of aportion of the boom in a normal or pleated-wall-relaxed position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating a fragment of the boomin longitudinal expanded position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of the boom, to a differentscale, illustrating its wall-expanding and contracting properties inconforming to wave action;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view, to an -enlargedscale, illustrating clamp means connecting overlapping tubular sectionsforming the boom;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view, to a different scale,partially in section, illustrating the manner of connecting a navigationlamp and anchor to the clamp means;

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view, partially in elevation, takenalong the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view of an alternative tubularsection clamp means;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary elevational view of the alternative clamp meanslooking in the direction of the arrows 9-9 of FIG. 8',

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially along theline 1040 of FIG. 9; and,

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10' illustrating an alternative mannerof closing a free and section of the boom.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Like characters of referencedesignate like parts in those In the drawings:

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1 to 4, the reference numeral 15indicates, as a whole, a substantially conventional offshore drillingrig comprising a horizontal platform 16 supported above the surface ofthe ocean or water 18 by a plurality of elongated legs or piles 20extending downwardly through the water and into the surface of the earth22. The drilling rig includes a derrick 24 for handling drill pipe 26,or the like, extending downwardly into a borehole 28.

The numeral 30 indicates a floating dam or boom, as a whole, comprisingan elongated endless fluidtight section of tubing circumferentiallysurrounding the drilling rig 15 in radial outwardly spaced relation. Theboom 30 is preferably formed by a plurality of tubular sections 32interconnected by clamp means 34 in end-to-end relation. The outsidediameter of each section is relatively large, for example 20 inches.Longitudinally each section 32 is substantially greater than itsdiameter. The wall of each tubular section is relatively thin whencompared to the diameter and is preferably formed in accordion rollpleated fashion, except at its extreme end portions, describing aplurality of equally spaced circumferential U-shaped folds 33 permittinga bellows-type action and increasing the flexibility of the tube inconforming to variations in the surface of the water 18 and returning toits relaxed position. The radial spacing between the innermost limit ofthe accordion-pleated wall, defining the inside diameter of each section 32, and the outermost surface of the folds 33, is relatively smallwhen compared to the diameter, for example, 2 inches. In its relaxedposition, the folds, or accordion pleating assumes the position shown byFIG. 2. The spacing between the folds 33, in relaxed position issubstantially equal to the width of each fold 33 measured longitudinallyof the section.

Each section 32 may be longitudinally expanded or stretched wherein thefolds or pleating assumes substantially the position shown by FIG. 3.This stretching or expanding action is limited by a flexible strand 36extending through each tubular section and connected with the clampmeans 34 in the manner presently explained. As clearly shown in FIG. 4the expanding and contracting action of the pleated wall permitslongitudinal bending action of the boom 30 in conforming to the surfaceof the water 18.

Referring also to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the clamp means 34 includes astrap-iron band 38 having spaced-apart cooperating ends 40 for receivinga bolt 42 to tighten the band 38 around the overlapped cylindrical endportions 44 and 46 of longitudinally aligned tubular sections 32. Theoverlapping tube end portion 46 is provided with a circumferential bead48 cooperatively nested by a circumferential socket formed in theoverlapped surface of the tube end portion 44. A diaphragm 50 isprovided with a laterally extending flangelike wall 52 having its outersurface substantially equal to the inside diameter of the tube end 44for contiguously contacting the latter. A similar bead 54, formed on theinner surface of the tube end 44, is cooperatively received by acircumferential recess formed in the outer wall surface of the diaphragmflange 52. A bandlike metallic ring 56, coextensive with the width ofthe diaphragm flange 52, contiguously contacts the inner wall surface ofthe diaphragm 52. Tightening the band clamp 38 by the bolt 42 thusimpinges the overlapping tube end portions 44 and 46 and the diaphragmflange 52 against the metallic ring to maintain the tube sections 32 incoaxial longitudinally connected relation.

An eyebolt 58 is provided with a threaded shank portion 60 whichprojects through a suitable aperture formed in the diaphragm 50 and issecured by nuts 62 threadedly engaged with the shank 60 on opposingsides of the diaphragm. A pressured plate 64, of less diameter than thediameter of the diaphragm, is interposed between the respective surfacesof the diaphragm and nuts 62 thus forming a waterand airtight seal. Theeyebolt shank 60 is centrally bored and threaded at its free end forreceiving the threaded shank of an eyebolt 66. Each end of the ropelikestrand 36 is connected with a suitable hook or connector, such as asplit ring 68, which is in turn engaged with the respective eyebolt forjoining the strand to the clamp means at the respective end of each tubesection. In length the strand 36 is approximately one-fourth greaterthan the length of one tubular section 32 at its relaxed position. Thus,when connected to other tubes, each tube section forms an airandwatertight compartment with its longitudinal expanding feature limitedby the length of the respective strand 36.

While the accordion pleating of the tubular section wall, under mostconditions, will maintain a circular configuration, theaccordion-pleated wall may be reinforced or strengthened by resilientrings 70 and 72, which are circular in cross section and are positionedrespectively within the outward extending U-shaped fold 33 and aroundthe tube between the U-shaped folds 33 which maintains the circularconfiguration of the respective section.

Since the specific gravity of the rubberlike material forming thetubular sections 32 is substantially equal to water, the boom 30normally floats mostly above the water 18 and forms an efficient barrierfor oil. It is desirable that the tubular sections be partiallysubmerged so that the depending circumferential arc portion of therespective tubular section extends a sufiicient distance below thesurface of the water to form an effective barrier for the oil.Therefore, each tubular section 32, after connecting one end to anothersection, is loaded or partially filled with ballast, such as a quantityof water, indicated at 72 (FIGS. 6 and 7).

The reinforcing rings 70 tend to limit the longitudinal expanding actionof the respective section 32 whereas the reinforcing rings 72 do nothamper the expanding action while still maintaining the circular crosssection shape.

The assembled boom 30 is maintained in approximate position by anchors74 connected in spaced-apart relation to selected ones of the clampmeans 34 by flexible lines 76. The upper end of the line 76 is providedwith a clevis 78 which is connected with a loop 80 secured to the clampband 38. Opposite the loop 80 a battery containing bracket 82 is securedto the clamp band for exciting a lamp 84, mounted on the bracket, toprovide a navigation light.

Referring now more particularly to FlGS. 8 to 11, inclusive, analternative clamp means is illustrated at 90. In this embodiment therespective end portions of the tubular sections 32A terminate at thecenter one of the outwardly extending folds 33 which, when oppositelydisposed in abutting relation, are surrounded by a split U-shaped clampmember 92 having its ends joined by a toggle joint 94 including a handle96 pivotally connected to one end of the clamp 92 and having a loop 98pivotally connected with the handle and removably engaging lugs 100formed on the other end portion of the clamp 92. In this embodimentopposing cooperating reinforcing ring sections 102 and 103 are nested bythe inner surface of the abutted end portions of the tubular sections32A to add rigidity to the clamp connected ends. Obviously thereinforcing ring sections 102 and 103 may be formed as a single ring, ifdesired. The flexible strands 36A, which may be tubular if desired, areprovided at their respective ends with a conventional quick connect anddisconnect coupling 104 having slipfitted male and female end portionsconnected, respectively, with cooperating end portions of the strands36A so that the respective ends of the strand sections 36A may be easilyjoined in longitudinal aligned relation. The toggle joint 94 may be usedfor joining the ends of the band clamp 38, if desired.

As mentioned hereinabove, the boom 30 may be employed to extend inoffshore relation with respect to a coastline to form an impediment foroil or debris moving toward the coastline or the boom may only partiallysurround the drilling rig 15, for example having its open endsprojecting away from the shoreline. ln this embodiment the respectivefree end of the boom 30 is preferably closed. The clamp means 34 formssuch a closed end, however, the clamp means 90 does not close the freeend of the respective outermost tubular section. This is accomplished,as shown in FIG. 11, where one of the rings 103A forms a diaphragm 106to form the closed end. A packing gland 108, connected with thediaphragm 106, secures the adjacent end of the strand 36A.

When using tubular material for the elongated strands 36A, an aperturemay be formed in each or selected ones of the tubular strands,intermediate their ends, for the purpose of adding air under pressure tothe interior of the boom 30 thus assuring its circular configuration andenhancing its buoyancy. This may be accomplished by a flexible tubularstrand connected with the endmost strand at one end of the boom andconnected at its other end with a source of air under pressure, neitherof which are shown.

OPERATION In operation oil rising to the surface of the water 18 aroundthe drilling rig as a result of seepage, blowout, or any other source,is trapped within the confines of the boom 30, as indicated by the lines110 (FIG. 1) due to the difference in the specific gravity of oil andwater. The oil will rise to a level within the boom 30 higher than thesurface of the water 18 and under such conditions the oil may then bepicked up as by the use of a suction pump, or the like, not shown. Inthe event the boom is used as an elongated length extending in offshorerelation to a shoreline, the boom simply forms a wall or dam preventingmovement of oil or floating debris toward the shoreline.

Obviously the invention is susceptible to changes or alterations withoutdefeating its practicability, therefore, I do not wish to be confined tothe preferred embodiment shown in the drawings and described herein.

lclaim:

l. A floating boom forming a dam for restricting movement of floatingmaterial, said boom, comprising:

an elongated resilient buoyant tube having a flexible accordion-pleatedwall;

ballast means maintaining the depending peripheral wall portion of saidtube submerged;

means limiting longitudinal expansion of said tube; and,

anchor means maintaining said tube in place.

2. Structure as specified in claim 1 in which said elongated tube isformed by a plurality of coaxially aligned tubular sections, and clampmeans joining said tubular sections in end overlapping relation anddividing said elongated tube to form a like plurality of closedcompartments.

3. Structure as specified in claim 2 in which said ballast meanscomprises a quantity of fluid within each closed compartment.

4. Structure as specified in claim 3 in which said clamp meanscomprises:

a straplike ring within one end portion of each said tubular section;

a diaphragm having a flangelike wall interposed between said ring andthe inner wall surface of said one end portion of each said tubularsection; and,

a straplike clamp surrounding overlapped end portions of said tubularsections.

5. Structure as specified in claim 4 in which the expansion limitingmeans comprises:

a pair of eyebolts having interconnected shank portions extendingthrough and connected with each said diaphragm; and, a like plurality ofelongated strands each having a length at least as great as each saidtubular section and extending therethrough and connected, at respectiveends with said eyebolts on respective sides of said diaphragms.

6. Structure as specified in claim l in which said elongated tube isformed by a plurality of coaxially aligned tubular sections, and furtherincluding clamp means joining said tubular sections in end abuttedrelation, said clamp means comprising:

a split ring, U-shaped in cross section, surrounding respective abuttedend portions of said tubular sections;

a toggle joint connected with the respective end portions of said splitring; and,

a reinforcing ring disposed within the respective abutted end portionsof said tubular sections.

7. Structure as specified in claim 6 in which the expansion limitingmeans comprises:

a plurality of elongated flexible strands, each having a length at leastas great as the length of each said tubular section and projectingthrough the interior thereof; and,

a plurality of quick connect couplings connected with and joining saidstrands in end to end relation.

1. A floating boom forming a dam for restricting movement of floating material, said boom, comprising: an elongated resilient buoyant tube having a flexible accordionpleated wall; ballast means maintaining the depending peripheral wall portion of said tube submerged; means limiting longitudinal expansion of said tube; and, anchor means maintaining said tube in place.
 2. Structure as specified in claim 1 in which said elongated tube is formed by a plurality of coaxially aligned tubular sections, and clamp means joining said tubular sections in end overlapping relation and dividing said elongated tube to form a like plurality of closed compartments.
 3. Structure as specified in claim 2 in which said ballast means comprises a quantity of fluid within each closed compartment.
 4. Structure as specified in claim 3 in which said clamp means comprises: a straplike ring within one end portion of each said tubular section; a diaphragm having a flangelike wall interposed between said ring and the inner wall surface of said one end portion of each said tubular section; and, a straplike clamp surrounding overlapped end portions of said tubular sections.
 5. Structure as specified in claim 4 in which the expansion limiting means comprises: a pair of eyebolts having interconnected shank portions extending through and connected with each said diaphragm; and, a like plurality of elongated strands each having a length at least as great as each said tubular section and extending therethrough and connected, at respective ends with said eyebolts on respective sides of said diaphragms.
 6. Structure as specified in claim 1 in which said elongated tube is formed by a plurality of coaxially aligned tubular sections, and further including clamp means joining said tubular sections in end abutted relation, said clamp means comprising: a split ring, U-shaped in cross section, surrounding respective abutted end portions of said tubular sections; a toggle joint connected with the respective end portions of said split ring; and, a reinforcing ring disposed within the respective abutted end portions of said tubular sections.
 7. Structure as specified in claim 6 in which the expansion limiting means comprises: a plurality of elongated flexible strands, each having a length at least as great as the length of each said tubular section and projecting through the interior thereof; and, a plurality of quick connect couplings connected with and joining said strands in end to end relation. 